Kindred | Mike Nock and Laurenz Pike

Two generations of Australian music come together in the music of Mike Nock and Laurence Pike as heard on Kindred the latest release from FWM records. Ethereal, inventive, humorous, and atmospheric: these are postcards from a shared journey between two distinct voices in Australian music.

Kindred documents some of Nock’s most vital and inventive playing to date, delicately underpinned by Pike’s singular approach to the drum kit.

Reviews of Kindred

John Kelman on AllAboutJazz.com

‘These 2011 sessions were conceived as music-making without a safety net, and it’s clear that Nock and Pike—separated by nearly 40 years—didn’t need one.’

IN a multifarious and highly celebrated career spanning more than 50 years, ex-Kiwi, now Sydney-based pianist, composer, mentor and bandleader Mike Nock has appeared on well over 100 recordings.

These have ranged from solo piano, including classical works, to working with many different groups and orchestras.

Nock’s latest album is the slightly unorthodox duo combination of piano and drums, in a totally improvised performance. Laurenz Pike’s drumkit abandons a solely rhythmic responsibility and becomes an instrument for percussive ornamentation and near melodic contributions of accents, conjunctions and punctuation.

It’s a case of a grand old jazz master collaborating with a younger drummer from acclaimed post-rock electronica outfit Triosk, now disbanded.

This collection won’t appeal to everyone — some might prefer a bass to have been included — but the concept is minimalist, allowing maximum tonal freedom, and Nock utilises this independence. The title track is representative of the session as with drum accents the piano paints a musical abstraction of thoughtful, classically referenced passages, pausing for sensitive percussive responses.

At one point the harmonic progression leads quite naturally, if unexpectedly, into quotes from the traditional Irish folk song, Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms. Unpredictable variety reigns throughout: All Most Blues uses an altered blues riff to push into new explorations, while Sleepwalking features a dreamy, wandering high treble against deeply murky bass chords and shimmering cymbals.

View the video (ABC, Radio National)

This is now the most complete trio Nock has had since returning to Australia 32 years ago.

John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 July 2017

In a 60-year career, he has done everything and triumphantly stayed at the vanguard of jazz's evolution.

Eric Myers, The Australian, 10 July 2017

Having heard Nock’s music for many years – and being aware of his genius as a composer, arranger and player – I found it amazing to see him perform live for the first time. He proved he could build from a platform, adding layers and textures – working with minimalism, classical, jazz and noiresque soundscapes to show that many colours can be conjured from the keys of a piano.

Simon Sweetman, The Dominion Post, Wellington NZ Nov 12, 2007

Piano maestro and winner of this year’s ARIA jazz award, Mike Nock led his trio in a dazzling performance at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz.

John McBeath, The Australian Nov 6, 2007

There's a glint to Nock's playing and a buoyancy in his leadership
Downbeat Nov 2005

Downbeat, Nov 2005

... impressed me greatly. Mike Nock was creating very musical things. It won't be long before he'll make a mark.

Pianist Bill Evans, in Downbeat (US) 1970

About Mike

New Zealand born pianist/composer Mike Nock is one of the acknowledged masters of jazz in Australasia.